D-backs pitching decent in first week of season

By Arizona Sports | April 7, 2011 at 12:39 amUPDATED: April 7, 2011 at 3:01 am

The Diamondbacks came into this season without an ace pitcher, instead relying on a collection of solid options to get the job done on the mound.

Arizona’s rotation personifies quantity over quality after one cycle through the five-man rotation ended with a win at the Cubs Wednesday and a 2-3 record.

None of the starters have an ERA under three so far this season after each pitched at least six innings in their first starts.

None gave up more than four earned runs but each had at least two walks.

Each had at least three strike-outs, but only Daniel Hudson got out of the first week without surrendering a home run.

The lowest ERA of 3.00 belongs to Joe Saunders, who separated himself from a nightmarish spring training with three strike-outs, three walks, a 1.33 WHIP and two earned runs in a losing effort to the Cubs Monday.

Armando Galarraga struggled the most at the back end of the rotation, starting the season with a 5.14 ERA, five strike-outs, two walks, a 1.00 WHIP, four earned runs and two home runs given up in a win against the Cubs Wednesday.

All five starters pitched effectively, but there is no clear cut number one option like the Giants’ Tim Lincecum, the Rockies’ Ubaldo Jimenez or the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw who all occupy the same division as the D-backs.

The prevailing pitching trend for the team so far is “average”, a trait that could entail modest success or another season of underachieving as Arizona attempts to climb back to playoff contention.